A family has been left hoping for a miracle after their Christmas baby has spent an agonising spell of months in intensive care.
Six-month-old Tommy, known as ‘swan baby’ due to his condition being undiagnosed, is still fighting for his life after being born with a collapsed lung.
Mum Sophie Davey from Bristol said it has been hard knowing that her son is all alone during a pandemic and described the emotions she felt when he had his first major operation.
“It's almost been seven months now and we don’t know which direction things will go in," she said.
She recounted a recent incident where Tommy’s liver began to fail after he contracted bronchitis, Bristol Live reports.
“Two weeks ago the hospital prepared us for the worst and said he would need to be rushed to Birmingham for a transplant but luckily his liver stabilized,” she said.
This isn't the first time her son has been close to dying but the family remains optimistic for his recovery.
Tommy was born seven weeks early and despite a natural delivery, his condition was too severe and needed immediate emergency care.
The 27-year-old said after several tests and scans to determine her son's illness, she is concerned about his future.
She said having a child in hospital has become their new normal but Tommy continues to fight against the odds.
“We haven't been able to bring him home since Christmas day and it has been one massive roller coaster but he has fought all that has been thrown at him," she said.
Miss Davey said she and her partner, Tommy's father Curtis Rush, visit their son daily and for the past seven months, they have been by his side with the hope of finding a cure for his severe complications.
“My son has heart problems and chronic lung disease but there is also something else going on with him which no one is able to figure out," she said.
Tommy’s complex case has drawn the attention of a number of medical professionals across the country.
Departments from Southampton, Birmingham and Great Ormond Street Hospitals are all involved in vital discussions around plans for Tommy’s future.
The tot is now being tested for Leukemia and HLH (Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis), a rare disease that occurs in infants and young children, to determine any background issues not currently investigated.
“We are in an unknown territory at the moment but it’s thanks to the staff working on the intensive care unit that his life has been saved numerous times," said Miss Davey.
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Having struggled with mental health over the years, the mum of one said her son became her reason for living.
She said there had been times in her life where she contemplated suicide.
“When I found out that I was pregnant, it didn’t come at a good time.
“I was suffering with quite a lot of mental health problems and attempted to take my life a few times.
"But it turns out that Tommy saved me and despite all that he’s going through, he's changed my life and given me a focus,” she said.
She said life has been a roller coaster and balancing mental health alongside a very sick baby has been difficult.
“I have had so much support to help get me through.”
Tommy's Grandmother, Tina Rush said she has not been able to see her grandson since he was born because of Covid and due to him being in ICU.
She said: “It was quite emotional because I cannot do anything for him."
The 47-year-old decided to launch a Gofundme page with the hope of raising £6,000 to help her son and daughter in law.
Miss Davey said the financial support will allow the couple to keep a roof over their heads, contribute to travel expenses to and from the hospital as well as their basic needs.
The fundraising page can be viewed here.
